Please also visit...

Followers

2011/01/21

The trees are called Sakaki (榊) - literally Sacred Treein Japanese (Kanji/漢字), which are indispensable for Shinto ritual ceremonies. Branches are cut down from trees and decorated with shide (紙垂) strips of washi paper (Japanese paper), silk, or cotton, to serves as Tamagushi (玉串).

Dedicated Tamagushi in front of portable shrine

At any occasion of Shinto ritual ceremonies, Tamagushi is dedicated to a Shinto deity at Shrines and/or mikoshi (portable shrine). The top part of the branch is pointing towards you.

Note the orientation of Tamagushi.

The first B&W photo was taken with a Sigma DP1s and the rest of colors - with a Nikon D200 at Futaarayama shrine (二荒山神社), Utsunomiya city.

I start to read about Shinto and about your winter celebrations and rituals!This Way of the Gods lead us to ourself, to our innerself where I believe that we have to find the purity of nature! Thank you!I wish you a great weekend!

The tree is pruned with care and with a purpose. It can be thought that nature has a sacred purpose, that we too often forget. The shrine has a delicate view, to visit a place of such beauty looks to be a real honor...

The shrine is beautiful and the ritual so interesting to learn about. It amazes me how much of nature is used in these types of rites. Your first shot in B and W is wonderful. I like both the color and B and W, but that first shot is my favorite of the series.

Yoshi you have a most beautiful perspective with your photos. the magnificent living tree alongside that which was cut down. this is a superb photo. the shadows and all. and I'm really into these rituals and ceremonies you write about. I feel how respectful of tradition it is and that's breathtaking. have a beautiful weekend Yoshi!